Computer implemented system for request management within an organization

Abstract

A centralized, computer implemented system is provided for request management within an organization, wherein the request management system is capable of performing the following functions: gathering user generated requests; sorting user generated requests; prioritising the requests; transferring the requests to the necessary person/department; updating the requester with the status of the request; linking related documents; matching requests relating to the same and/or similar items; and rejecting requests which are in violation of any pre-configured rules/limits.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A centralized, computer implemented system for request management within an organization, wherein the request management system is capable of performing the following functions:
 gathering user generated requests;   sorting user generated requests;   prioritising the requests;   transferring the requests to the necessary person/department;   updating the requester with the status of the request;   linking related documents;   matching requests relating to the same and/or similar items; and   rejecting requests which are in violation of any pre-configured rules/limits.   
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system can be linked to other software applications used in the organization, including applications for procurement, sourcing, contract management, project management, financial savings management, supplier management, and travel management. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system can be accessed from a plurality of input/output devices, including mobile devices and computer systems. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a user raises a request by filling a webform. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system is preconfigured with decision rules which allow the system to accurately perform the gathering, sorting, prioritising, transferring and updating of requests. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the rules can be customized and may include category and sub-category of request, type and sub-type of request, requests related to customer deliverables, requests marked for urgent manufacturing deliverables, amongst other criteria. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system is interactive in that it is capable of requesting input from the user, accepting the input from the user and acting accordingly. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system is capable of making analytical decisions pertaining to prioritising requests, rejecting requests, and matching similar/same requests from multiple users. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system is capable of comparing multiple requests by comparing the fields present in the webform of each request. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system updates the user of the status of the user's request. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system possesses a link document feature which links together related documents so as to simplify the tracking, accessing and obtaining of interrelated information. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the feature performs the linking of related documents by mapping the IDs of the related documents. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the feature allows the user to link two or more documents. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system possesses a scrutiny/de-duplication check module to reject requests in violation of any pre-configured limits. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the system possesses a matching feature, which matches multiple requests pertaining to the same or similar items.